Senior Accountant

Hire Date: TBD

Hours Per Week: 40

Location: Austin, Texas (No satellite offices.)

Number of Openings: One

Sponsorship: Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Work Location

This position is primarily in-office, with limited telecommuting days available based on team and agency needs. Regular onsite attendance is considered an essential function of this position.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking an inquisitive, personable, motivated, analytical, and innovative problem solver to join our Business Services team and help SAO staff succeed through strong financial operations and responsive customer service.

Business Services supports the agency through accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting, including payroll, purchasing, and travel. Qualified candidates may come from a range of accounting and finance backgrounds, including governmental accounting, private sector accounting, higher education, or other complex organizations with strong controls and deadlines.

We encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every preferred qualification listed.

What would you do?

Senior Accountants help keep SAO’s financial operations accurate, compliant, and decision-ready. You will support accounting, budgeting, and reporting activities that enable informed decisions and reliable stewardship of State resources.

You will work across core Business Services functions, including payroll, purchasing, and travel, to help ensure transactions are processed timely, coded correctly, and supported by clear documentation. You will research and resolve discrepancies, reduce rework, and help staff understand what “right the first time” looks like in practice.

You will support budget and reporting needs by tracking expenditures and encumbrances, validating financial data, and preparing summaries that explain trends and variances in a clear, usable way.

You will help strengthen internal controls and streamline processes by identifying gaps, recommending improvements, and partnering with stakeholders (including IT as needed) to improve workflows and reporting formats.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A minimum of four years of experience in accounting or financial operations. Related education and experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in governmental accounting and budgetary procedures and processes, including working in environments that manage appropriated funds, deadlines, and compliance requirements.

Experience with statewide budget and financial systems, including payroll, purchasing, travel, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and fixed asset systems.

Experience strengthening internal controls, reconciliations, and documentation to support accurate reporting and compliant transactions, and experience identifying process improvements that reduce rework and improve service to customers.

Experience providing technical guidance or training to others on complex accounting transactions is helpful but not required.

How to apply?

We hope you will consider joining us in our mission to actively provide government leaders with useful information that improves accountability. To apply and to learn more about our benefits package, visit our web site at https://sao.texas.gov/Home/Careers/ and follow the steps for applying.

The State Auditor’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or in the provision of services. Applicants should communicate requests for disability-related accommodations during the application process to our Human Resources Office.